The Guthrie Centennial Committee was formed in May 2005 in anticipation of the celebration of the 2007 Oklahoma State Centennial. The purpose of this Committee is to honor Guthrie’s rightful place as the Territorial Capital and First State Capital of Oklahoma, and to assure that Guthrie maintains a position as a centerpiece of the state celebration. The Guthrie Centennial Committee role is to organize, coordinate, facilitate, and execute the events surrounding Guthrie’s participation in the Centennial. The Guthrie Centennial Director is Mr. George B. Watts (Office: 405-282-0880). The Guthrie Centennial organization is made up of nine sub-committee’s: Marketing; Youth participation; Media relations; Publicity; Bands and Music; Parades; Historical Re-Enactments; Fundraising; and Volunteers Organization. The Guthrie Centennial Theme is to present the history and legacy of Oklahoma’s Statehood adventure. This will be accomplished through historical dramatizations of the First State Constitutional Convention, the Statehood Day events, the symbolic marriage of Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory, the history of the railroad in Guthrie, and through the Victorian flavor of the city. Guthrie has been named “One of America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations” by the National Preservation of the Historic Trust. No other community in Oklahoma can bring the origins and true history of Statehood like Guthrie. The Guthrie Centennial Fund was established for community and other donations in support of the Guthrie Centennial celebration. Contributions are tax-deductible. Donations may be sent to: “The Guthrie Centennial Fund”, Guthrie City Hall, PO Box 908, Guthrie OK, 73044. Senate Resolution 15 was passed unanimously by the Oklahoma State Senate on April 25, 2005, designating Guthrie as an “Official State Centennial Site”. This formal resolution was presented to Mayor Jon Gumerson in June 2005 by Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan. Key 2006 Guthrie Centennial and Themed Events May 11, 2006: Centennial Celebration Concert at 7 PM at the Guthrie Scottish Rite Masonic Auditorium, 900 E. Oklahoma Ave. A Concert of patriotic and Oklahoma music by the Guthrie High School Band and Concert Choir. Tickets available at Chamber of Commerce or at the door. November 18, 2006: Guthrie Centennial Year Kick Off Day. Parade at 11 PM. Statehood Exhibits at the Oklahoma Territorial Museum (405-282-1889). "Opera on the Plains", an evening of classical and Americana music by Ms. Glorial Parker, NYC world-class Mezzo-Soprano singer, and a Guthrie native. Begins at 7PM at the Guthrie Scottish Rite Masonic Auditorium. Ticket information forthcoming. Key events being planned during the Guthrie Centennial Year are coordinated with the State Centennial Commission.
Representing Oklahoma’s First State Capital, the Guthrie Centennial Committee and the Guthrie Scottish Rite Masonic Center will present historical dramatizations of the First State Constitutional Convention, originally held in Guthrie in the months prior to statehood. The re-enactments will be performed by Junior/Senior High School students from the 112 communities that originally sent delegates to the First Convention. The re-enactments will be performed on the following days during the 2007 State Centennial Year at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center: April 14th, and October 20th.
Representing Oklahoma’s First State Capital, the Guthrie Centennial Committee and Oklahoma Territorial Museum will present historical re-enactments of the November 16, 1907 events that made Oklahoma the 46th State. Re-enactments will include: President Roosevelt’s announcement and proclamation; Swearing-in of Charles Haskell as Oklahoma’s First Governor in front of the Carnegie Library; Symbolic wedding of Oklahoma territory and Indian Territory; Parade from the Carnegie Library to Mineral Wells park; Barbeque at Mineral Wells park. All events will occur at their actual location. Dignitaries from Washington DC and State dignitaries have been invited and are expected to attend and participate.
Every Holiday Season, the Guthrie Chamber of Commerce sponsors “A Territorial Christmas”, a month long Holiday Season festival held throughout the community and downtown area. The 2006 Territorial Christmas will be in support of the official Guthrie Centennial Year. The 2007 Territorial Christmas will be in support of the Statehood Day celebration held in Guthrie. Contact the Guthrie Chamber of Commerce for information about Guthrie’s Territorial Christmas events.
These Centennial events will be in addition to the annual Guthrie festivals and celebrations held throughout the year. November 18th, 2006 - Guthrie’s Centennial kick-off in celebration of the State Centennial celebration. Included will be Statehood Exhibits at the Oklahoma Territorial Museum, and a Parade through the Historic district. 2007 - Constitutional Convention Exemplifications begin at Scottish Rite Temple. January 18th, 2007 - 2006 Warren Spahn award dinner and presentation. October 13th-14th, 2007 - Guthrie Centennial Wild West Show. November 10th - 17th, 2007 - Guthrie Statehood Celebration Week November 16, 2007 - Statehood Day Activities in Guthrie November 17, 2007 - 7:00 Inaugural Ball ( Location TBA) 2007 STATEHOOD WEEK CELEBRATION IN GUTHRIE As a prelude to Oklahoma’s Statehood Day, November 16, 2007, which will be focused in Guthrie, the Guthrie community will host the “2007 Statehood Week Celebration”, from Saturday, November 10, 2007, Veterans Day, to Saturday, November 17, 2007. Each day during this period will offer a significant event in Guthrie leading to the major Statehood Day Celebration on Friday, November 16th. The week concludes with the ticketed Saturday, November 17th, Inaugural Ball for Oklahoma’s First Governor, Charles Haskell, at an historic Guthrie location. The event calendar may be celebrated at the state or local level. Major events may include Centennial Concerts, Youth Statehood Recognition Day, a concert by a major celebrity, productions at the Pollard Theater, or other significant events to be determined. The schedule below lists events already in definitive planning, and tentative events in the coordination process. Schedule of Week Events:Saturday/November 10, 2007: Veterans Day Monday/November 12, 2007: Thursday/November 15, 2007: Friday/November 16, 2007: Statehood Day!
Saturday/November 17, 2007: Note: The Pollard Theater 2007 schedule will include productions during this period leading to Statehood Week. Please continue to monitor www.guthrieok.com for updated schedule information.
Many other Centennial events will occur in the Guthrie community during the Centennial Year. |
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